Job Title - Does it matter?

scottishgirl87

I started a new job in 2010, however, in 2011 it was decided that my role was no longer needed. Due to work circumstances I now "job-share" on a different role with another person, however, my job remains the exact same as it has been since the start.

I'm applying for a new job at the moment and feel my original job title explains my experience alot more and matches up with the job I'm applying for. Does it matter if I put that down rather than what I'm now officially called by the company? Like I said I'm doing the exact same work I always have done but I'm just worried if it got to reference stage that the company I'm applying with would ask why I'm down as X assistant rather than Y assistant.

Then again, will it even make a difference?

Tuesday_Tenor

I'd put down both, e.g.

May 2010- July 2011 @Z Employer X Assistant
Aug 2011- present @Z Employer Y Assistant

Then it looks even more strongly that you're no longer doing X which you enjoyed and therefore want the job you're applying for as 'X',

VfM4meplse

Job titles can be notoriously misleading - the worst example I can think of is the term "consultant" - there is an ocean's intellectual gap between being a medical consultant and a self-appointed contractor!

I think you need to make it clear in your application exactly what it is you do in the role (the highest-skilled work within the role) and your salary to give a good sense of your current position.

an9i77

The problem may arise if you put your job title as x and then on the reference it comes back as y. I don't set too much store by job titles, I think you need to spell out your role and responsbilities in your CV. In the field I work in, people can be called consultants/advisors/officers/business partners/business associates etc and it's all pretty meaningless until you look at what they have actually done. Anyone who is recruiting you will if they are doing their job right look a lot more at what you've done rather than what you're called.

scottishgirl87

Thanks for the replies, I ended up including both job titles in the application!